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The recent legalization of medical marijuana via medical cards in Pennsylvania for poor health conditions has been met with both criticism and praise.

Palwasha Konchwala, a 22-year-old biology major at Bucks said, “I’m 100 percent for it in regards to medical purposes, however not for general use.”

She agreed that while it may be a step forward in the medical world, it can be harmful for those who don’t need it. Konchwala added, “If it can makes someone’s life easier, then it’s a great initiative.”

“If this can make someone’s daily life easier, who am I to get in the way,” questioned Shanzeh Khan, a 20-year-old biology major from Warminster.

Khan wants to help the mentally ill in the future, explaining that medical marijuana should also be accessible to those with such problems.

Jose Guerera, a 20-year-old communications major at Bucks, had his disagreements about the new law. He argued, “I think there isn’t enough information about marijuana medically for it to open to the public. I think this law is okay for some with a medical disability but not all.”

His main concern was fraud, in that this process may cause some people to misuse the medical cards and not have a medical condition. Guerera explained, “There would have to be a lot of background checks in order to make this process safe.”

Elia Zaid, a 19-year-old business major at Bucks agreed with these concerns, saying, “It’s great that this is going to help people, but this is drugs we’re talking about. There is a security risk for those who want to abuse this system.” Zaid also thought he could still see this as a benefit for the medical patients who really need it.

With marijuana being considered ‘the gateway drug,’ various questions of public health problems have arisen.

The mixture of negative and positive effects has been a polarizing issue in other states that undertook various levels legalization of marijuana, such as Colorado.

As a state that has fully legalized marijuana, Colorado has experienced economic boon in the form of higher state tax income, benefitting the state’s schools and infrastructure.

On the other hand, the state suffers from overpopulation, as only residents of the state can purchase marijuana.

Sadaf Shah, a 20 years old student from Bensalem, said she supports the use in the medical world.

“If this is going to help people, than that is their choice,” she said, “There are other harmful procedures that are being done such as radiation, but it’s something the patient knows about and agrees to.”

Aliza Bangash, a 20 year old biology major at Bucks said, “I think legalizing for qualifying patients is a great idea.”

However, Alizah had the same concerns as many other Bucks students, thinking it could be dangerous if given out on a mass scale and made fully legal.

Bangash added, “It would lead to problems with schools and workplaces as well as cause possible issues with teen and young adults.”

While many agreed that this was a good step for the medical help, there was a general concern about the law going a step further. Students are concerned with the effects it can have on the general public that might be interested.

Marijuana is still a divided subject for most, however, many years ago it would never even be considered helpful for medicine. The question of whether or not progress on the issue has been made still remains.